Tag: NFL training camp

Cowboys News: Best yet to come for Amari, DiNucci report, what no preseason means

A look around the Cowboys’ landscape as the NFL demands face masks for fans and cancels the chance for unheralded players to make a mark.

Coming on the heels of the NFL cancelling the entire preseason, the league has deemed fans will be required to wear some sort of face mask before they are allowed into each stadium. This is assuming that there will even be fans at the games, and that certainly could change. This unique offseason presents new barriers for almost every team in the league, however, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, with a stable of new coaches and players, will face extra challenges as the season gets off to a quick start.

Despite the extraordinary circumstances the Cowboys currently face, they’ll still have to suit up and perform every Sunday. The offense is mostly set, aside from the backup wide receivers, and the intriguing position battles that will take place at left guard and center. We know Amari Cooper is great, but could more weapons and another year in the system allow him to get even better? Two new, big-name, defensive tackles should improve the other side of the ball, but how much impact will the additions make? Plus, a list of under-the-radar remains free agents that Dallas could potentially sign.

I’m Batman: Masks required for attendance at Cowboys, NFL games :: Cowboys Wire

In the latest attempt by the NFL to improve safety for future fans at NFL games, the NFL has stated that fans will be required to wear face coverings ifs they attend a game.

Bucky Brooks: Scouting Report on Rookie QB :: Dallas Cowboys

In recent history, the Cowboys have struck lightning with late round or undrafted quarterbacks twice with Tony Romo and then Dak Prescott. James Madison’s Ben DiNucci is the latest Dallas QB to fit the underdog mold. Bucky Brooks examines the rookie’s game, and assesses whether he thinks the Cowboys have another future gem on their hands.

Cowboys 2020 training camp: Mike McCarthy dealing with several first-year setbacks due to COVID-19 :: CBS Sports

The Dallas Cowboys have a new head coach, defensive coordinator, many other new coaches, and a bevy of new personnel on both sides of the ball. Those factors, mixed with the lack of any type of traditional offseason program, and the challenges Dallas is facing this year start to really add up.

Game Theory: Frelund’s three breakout players in NFC for 2020 :: NFL Network

Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper had the best year of his career a season ago. However, NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund believes the best yet is to come for Cooper. Follow the link for her explanation for predicting another huge year for the Cowboys star.

Eatman: Trickle-Down Effect of No Preseason :: Dallas Cowboys

The impacts of the NFL cancelling the preseason stretch far and wide in the football world. Cowboys writer Nick Eatman breaks down how this change not only effects the starters who’ll get less acclimation reps, but also the players on the other end of the roster.

Connor Williams has competition at LG for Cowboys :: Cowboys Wire

Connor Williams has struggled to live up to expectations after receiving All-American honors as a sophomore in college. Williams’ talent is undeniable, but the former Longhorn will have to work hard and stay healthy to earn the starting spot at left guard for the Cowboys.

Name To Know: Cedrick Wilson & The WR Battle :: Dallas Cowboys

Cedrick Wilson is one of the many names battling for the last wide receiver spots on the Dallas roster. Wilson’s versatility at wideout, potential to contribute on special teams, and familiarity with the Kellen Moore system could give him the edge over his competition in camp.

The Most Underrated NFL Free Agents Still Available Ahead of Training Camps :: Bleacher Report

Players like Jadeveon Clowney are obviously the big attractions remaining in free agency. However, there are still many players who are unsigned who are flying under the media’s radar. Could any of these players help the Cowboys?

Mailbag: A Big Difference At Defensive Tackle? :: Dallas Cowboys

In today’s edition of Mailbag, Cowboys staff writers answer fans questions that focus on how much will Mike McCarthy use a fullback in Dallas, and will the added size of Poe and McCoy help on the interior defensive line?

 

A reminder of who the Buccaneers selected in the 2020 NFL draft

With rookies set to report this week, here’s a reminder of who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected in the 2020 NFL draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the date for rookies to report to training camp from Tuesday to this coming Thursday, July 23.

With camp scheduled to get underway next week, a whole new rookie class will look to make their mark and earn a roster spot in what is shaping up to be a memorable season in Tampa.

Here is a quick reminder of who the Bucs selected in the 2020 NFL draft.

Round 1 (No. 13): OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa

Round 2 (No. 45): S Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota

Round 3 (No. 76): RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt

Round 5 (No. 161): WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota

Round 6 (No. 194): DT Khalil Davis, Nebraska 

Round 7 (No.241): OLB Chapelle Russell, Temple

Round 7 (No. 245): RB Raymond Calais, Louisiana

To see a full gallery of this year’s Bucs class, click here.

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Ravens announce fans won’t be able to attend 2020 training camp

This will be just the second year where the Baltimore Ravens’ training camp won’t have fans in attendance, this time due to COVID-19.

When the Baltimore Ravens head back to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp, fans won’t be in attendance.

Following protocols set up by the NFL and NFLPA due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Ravens announced they won’t be able to host fans this year. This follows the team’s previous announcement of reduced capacity at home games at M&T Bank Stadium for the 2020 regular season.

“It is critically important that we protect the well-being of our players, coaches, staff, fans and overall community,” Ravens president Dick Cass said in a statement. “Health and safety will always be a top priority, and while we are disappointed that fans will not attend training camp, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the public and our organization. We look forward to welcoming back fans in the future when we can safely do so.”

This will be just the second training camp without fans at the Under Armour Performance Center since 2012 when the team moved practices to Owings Mills. The last time training camp went fanless was when the team facility was undergoing construction in 2017

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Tre Boston concerned about 2020 NFL season: ‘It’s not looking good’

Panthers safety Tre Boston concerned about 2020 season: ‘This is not looking good.’

Everyone wants to see football return this fall like normal. The fact is we are living in an unprecedented situation due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s threatening business as usual for every part of our way of life, including the NFL season.

Tre Boston sounds concerned that it might not happen. After getting off a call with the NFLPA, he tweeted that this is not looking good and encouraged people to wear their masks.

Right now, the biggest hurdle seems to be what to do about the preseason. It was reported a few days ago that the league wants to cancel half of the games, but as of yet the players union has not agreed. In fact, they are pushing for no preseason games at all.

According to Tom Pelissero at NFL Network, here’s one scenario being floated that would preclude the preseason altogether.

Interesting times.

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Jags, NFL to start training camps on time

Several sports organizations have announced their returns and it appears the NFL is on track to start their training camps as planned.

With NASCAR back and plans for the NBA and MLB to return, it appears the NFL won’t be left out of the fun. Per league commissioner Roger Goodell, the league plans on starting their training camps on time despite the coronavirus causing concerns around the world.

For the Jacksonville Jaguars and 29 other teams, this means that Tuesday, July 28, will be the day in which camp starts. However, their rookies likely will have to report a few days prior as we’ve seen under normal circumstances.

Of course, once the Jags return they will be implementing a different process than in years past. For starters, the facility will be following a league protocol that includes reconfigured locker rooms for the sake of social distancing, frequent cleaning of protective padding, the requirement of masks, and much more.

The Jags also won’t be having joint practices as they have in the past. This year they had plans to travel to Tampa Bay to have a few sessions with the Bucs, but the league cancelled it and all other joint practices. Additionally, preseason games could be removed as well.

Right now the Jags first preseason game is set to take place on Aug. 13 against the Carolina Panthers in an away game. As for their first regular season game, it will take place on Sept. 13 at TIAA Bank Field against the Indianapolis Colts.

 

NFL advises teams training camps will open ‘on the normal schedule’ July 28

NFL teams were alerted to continue to plan for players to report to camp on July 28.

The Hall of Fame Game was canceled for 2020 Thursday and the ceremonies were postponed. However, the NFL has alerted teams the date for players to report remains a go for July 28.

One New York-based reporter added preseason could be shortened to two games, per some of the players he has spoken with about plans.

 

Report: Jags among teams who will have to report to training camp on July 28

Thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, every NFL team now knows when they will have to report for their 2020 training camps.

Barring any changes on the league’s part, the Jacksonville Jaguars (and a vast majority of the league) will report to training camp on Tuesday, July 28. This news comes via a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who pointed out that the new Collective Bargaining Agreement affected each team’s return.

In the past, teams had to report to training camp 15 days before the first preseason contest, however, 30 NFL teams must now report on July 28, which is 47 or 48 days before Week 1 of the regular season. With the Jags beginning their regular season on Sunday, September 13, they fall in the category of the many teams who apply for a return on the aforementioned date.

With the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans set to have the regular season opener via Thursday Night Football, they will get to start their training camp three days earlier than the other organizations (Saturday, July 25).

This news comes after COVID-19 affected the league’s offseason, causing all teams to miss their organized team activities of May and their minicamps that follow around this point of the year. Instead, teams moved to an all-virtual process, which began on April 27 for the Jags.

COVID-19 also caused the league to adapt its key events like the draft, too, which had its first all-virtual process in late April. The Jags added 12 selections in the annual event, so they could be one of the team’s heavily affected as they will have one of the youngest teams in football when final cuts are made. 

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the league is also discussing the possibility of a shortened preseason. While nothing has been finalized on the matter, the league and players are looking to have just two preseason games instead of four. The reason for that is to give teams more time before the regular season as far as health and logistics go. 

The Jags’ preseason schedule will begin with two road games against the Carolina Panthers (Thursday, August 13) and Tampa Bay Bucs (Saturday, August 22). Afterward, they have two home games against the Washington Redskins (Saturday, August 29) and Atlanta Falcons (Tuesday, Sept. 3) to wrap up the preseason. 

Chargers now have training camp start date barring changes

Progress is being made.

With COVID-19 still sweeping headlines, there are still a handful of uncertainties with the 2020 season. However, progress has been made as NFL teams now know when they’re expected to get ready for the upcoming campaign.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, teams will open up training camps 47 days before their Week 1 season opener.

For the Chargers, that date will be July 28. 29 other teams will open up camp on the same date, while the Chiefs and Texans, the two teams playing in the season opener on Sept. 10, will begin on July 25.

“This makes the training camp reporting date more uniform across the league. It used to be much more scattered, with teams reporting on various days over a weeklong period,” Schefter reported.

“There even used to be business departments that would push teams to start camp on a Wednesday so they could schedule the first padded practice four days later on a weekend, so as to best appeal to fans.”

It remains to be seen if fans will be allowed to attend sessions. If they are granted access, it’s likely that the capacity will be limited and there will be protocols to help prevent and limit any potential infection or spread of COVID-19.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero also reported on Wednesday that the league and players’ union are discussing the possibility of shortening the 2020 preseason from four games to two games to allow for a longer “ramp-up” period.

NFL sets initial protocols for players returning to training facilities

With coaching staffs and employees now returning to team facilities, the NFL has created protocols for players to return as well.

The NFL has slowly begun allowing teams to reopen their training facilities. After allowing a small number of employees to come back in March, the league began allowing coaching staffs to return Friday of last week. With training camp on the horizon, the next step is for players to return as well.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent out a memo outlining the initial protocols for players to return, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Though Goodell noted the protocols were developed based on the understanding of the coronavirus at this point, he cautioned that things are expected to change as medical experts continue to gain more knowledge of the disease.

The protocols involve reconfiguring locker rooms to keep players six feet apart, as well as details about mask usage, the disinfecting of equipment, and how meetings can be held.

While no dates have been set and there’s no agreement in place, Pelissero also said the NFL and NFLPA have been talking about allowing some players to return to team facilities ahead of time. Though nothing is guaranteed, these protocols and discussions mark a clearer path towards teams being able to hold practices ahead of the 2020 regular season. Whether that means some type of minicamp, a full-blown training camp, or some other type of arrangement will have to be seen.

Baltimore Ravens coaches returned to the Under Armour Performance Center today for the first time since it closed in March.

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News: Could Elliott be Cowboys best receiving RB in 2020

The Cowboys have a plethora of talent at the RB position, but the divide may not happen as many forecast.

The city of Oxnard, California, has become a home away from home for the Dallas Cowboys. For years the team, as well as their loyal followers, have made the trek from Dallas to Oxnard for NFL training camp. Sadly for the Cowboy faithful in California, this year the NFL has determined that teams are to stay in their respective cities for this year’s approaching training camp. This is all assuming that there is a training camp, and the ESPN article below answers your questions about many the aspects of the potential upcoming season.

Last season, the Cowboys ran and passed the ball effectively, but it wasn’t enough to translate into a winning season. How will the Cowboys offense change with a new head coach? Should fans expect more play-action, and will Ezekiel Elliott be the most effective receiving back in Dallas? The special teams are seemingly set to make a leap, and its a much needed leap. Aldon Smith is back, and is motivated like never before. An undrafted free agent could make the roster and contribute in year one. All that and more, here are the news and notes for June 2, 2020.

Three reasons why Ezekiel Elliott will be the more effective pass-catching running back for the Cowboys :: Blogging The Boys

The Cowboys have two excellent receiving running backs, Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Receiving was Pollard’s specialty coming out of Memphis, but this article examines why Elliott could be the more effective pass-catcher in 2020.

Mailbag: Using Play Action More Often? :: Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys staff writers Nick Eatman & Jonny Auping answer fan questions that revolve around the running game, including Ezekiel Elliott’s explosiveness and the use of play-action in the upcoming season.

Cowboys to hold 2020 training camp at home instead of Oxnard :: Cowboys Wire

For over a decade the Dallas Cowboys have made the annual trip to Oxnard, California, for training camp. Now, amidst a crazy offseason, training camps are to be held in each teams home facility, meaning the Cowboys are staying in Dallas for their eventual training camp.

When will the 2020 NFL season start? Answering the biggest questions, 100 days out :: ESPN

ESPN staff writer Kevin Seifert gives his best attempt at answering questions every football fan has. The topics include how the remainder of the offseason is set to play out, will there be fans at games in the upcoming season, and many more.

UDFA: Rhode Island WR Has Plenty to Prove :: Dallas Cowboys 

The Cowboys have a plethora of wide receivers who can step up and make the fourth WR spot theirs, including UDFA Aaron Parker from Rhode Island. Parker has a combination of size, hands, and a passion for the game that give him an excellent chance to make the Cowboys roster.

Aldon Smith returns with new moves, strength, and motivation as Cowboys DE :: Cowboys Wire

Aldon Smith has completely changed his life for the better in recent years. The former All-Pro has another shot at glory, and he has a new reason for motivation along his quest. Our own Todd Brock breaks down the emotional return of the Cowboys defensive end.

Position Breakdown: Special Teams :: Dallas Cowboys

A lot has been made of the Cowboys special teams this offseason, and for good reason. The unit has been consistently one of the worst in the league over the last few seasons, but new coaches Mike McCarthy and John Fassel are out to reverse that trend.

Every NFL team’s best draft class since 2000: Figuring out the best 32 drafts of the last 20 years :: CBS Sports

Anytime you’re able to get a franchise quarterback on day 3, it’s a special draft. Throw in pro bowlers Ezekiel Elliott and Jaylon Smith, and it’s easy to see how CBS Sports grading 2016 as the Cowboys best draft of the last two decades.

Cowboys’ offense in 2020: Is it better with Andy Dalton on board? :: ESPN

With five playoff appearances and three Pro Bowls during his Cincinnati days, does Andy Dalton make the Cowboys offensive better?

Can “Chemistry & Pride” Rebuild Special Teams? :: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys had one of the NFL’s worst special teams units in 2019. New coordinator John Fassel proclaimed in January there wi’ll be plenty of changes to the special teams unit, and he’ll also get familiar assistance from kicker Greg Zuerlien who he coached to the Pro Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.

Cowboys Franchise Five: Cowboys greats who rank atop the legends who’ve walked the halls in Dallas :: CBS Sports

From Emmitt Smith to Bob Lilly, these five former Cowboys are at the forefront of the organization’s storied history.

Aikman Reveals Sean Lee’s Locker-Room View On Dak :: Sports Illustrated

Hall of Famer Troy Aikman gives insight to Sean Lee’s view of Dak Prescott in the locker room.

Now or Never for Dallas Cowboys WR Noah Brown? :: Inside The Star

Can Noah Brown stay healthy enough to beat out Cedrick Wilson and Devin Smith? Or are his days as a Cowboy coming to an end?

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